fairmount community health plan - adam socki

8/13/2019 Fairmount Community Health Plan - Adam Socki

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2 Fairmount Community Health Plan

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The students of VCUs Master of Urban and RegionalPlanning Spring 2013 Studio course, led by Dr. MeghanZ. Gough, would like to thank the countless membersof the Fairmount neighborhood and those in thesurrounding communities that assisted the class in theproduction of this plan. Thanks also to the Storefrontfor Community Design for their design assistance anduse of their studio space during the construction of thisplan. The myriad of hours spent in the ield facilitatednot only our understanding of Fairmount, but also whatthe future may look like. We hope that the Fairmountcommunity plays a pivotal role in reshaping its futureby accepting this document as a blueprint for healthierliving.

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12 Existing Conditions-Fairmount Community Health Plan

Fairmount, one of Richmond, Virginias most historicneighborhoods, lies in the citys East End. The neighborhood wasirst established in 1890. It briely became an incorporated townin 1902 prior to being annexed by the City of Richmond in 1906.

Originally used for agricultural purposes, the neighborhoodeventually expanded into a small residential area, In the late1800s, the electric streetcar was introduced to the Fairmountarea which allowed easier access to the rest of Richmond.More churches and localized grocery stores began to emerge. Itquickly grew into a thriving trolley car suburb with hundredsof aesthetically and architecturally unique homes. In its years ofbooming development, Fairmount welcomed the construction

of lumber yards, commercial districts, a horse racing track, amental health facility, and other public amenities. Fairmount was

an extremely vibrant community, both economically and soci ally,during the late 19th century and into the early 20th century.

The neighborhood consisted of mostly Caucasian residents until the 1930s. By 1934, African-Americans became the majoritypopulation south of Fairmount Avenue. Over the next two decades changes, in school zoning and regulation, suburbanization, andWhite church migration shifted the demographic proile of the neighborhood. By the 1950s-60s, the entire Fairmount Area becamepredominately African-American.

During this period of time, the bustling local economy was supported with many local independently owned grocery stores and retailservices that were all within walking distance of the Fairmount neighborhood. Some of these services included a hardware store, adrugstore, a bakery, Buster Brown shoe store, 5 & Dime, Clark Jewelers, dentistry, a ish market, and many other amenities. There werealso four public housing developments built The community at this time was very close knit, with strong communal parental guidance,less crime, more unii ed faith based organizations, and a more prevalent youth presence.

NEIGHBORHOOD HISTORY CU

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drawPeoples News. http://chpn.net/news/2009/08/26/fairmount_8280/

Annette; Carter, Augustine; and Mary Thompson. Interview by Shepard Beamon, Jenna Evers, Kaila McClead, Jesse Revlla andToby Vernon. Neighborhood Interview. Fairmount neighborhood, February 8, 2013


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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

The existing discourse on health and economicdevelopment in Richmonds East End is bringing anincreasing and vital focus of attention and resources tothe district. Ongoing revitalization effortssurrounding the Fairmount area in Shockoe Bottom,Fulton, and Church Hill are hard-won victories for anarea which continues to suffer from legacy isolation. Asan area that once enjoyed strength and richness, theresidents of Fairmount desire a path to renewed v ibrancethat is characterized by a safe, physically, mentally,spiritually, economically, environmentally, and sociallyhealthy community. To achieve this vision, Fairmountarea residents and leaders seek a community-based plan

that cultivates the health and wellness of theircommunity.

Community-based planning aims to strategically addresschallenges at the community level through a bottom-upapproach of problem identiication and mitigationutilizing local social c apacity. To that end, this plan hasbeen conceived of and guided entirely by input andreaction from local members and stakeholders of theFairmount community. To continue in that spirit, allimplementation strategies presented in this plan havebeen formulated to capitalize on existing communityassets which include social organizations, schools, civicengagement networks, law enforcement, faith-basedorganizations, physical infrastructure, businesses, andeconomic investment trends.

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Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority (RRHA)owns four public housing developments in thesurrounding area: C reighton Court, Fairield Court,Mosby Court, and Whitcomb Court. There are currentlyno plans for future development to any of the publichousing developments directly within our studyarea. Plans for acquired land parcels at the Nine MileRd./25th St. intersection are stagnant. There are nomajor grocery stores that are interested in establishingbusiness there. It also took several years to acquirethose land parcels, as some property owners could notbe reached or refused to sell. There are future plans towork with project:HOMES and Southside Community

Development and Housing Corporation (SCDHC) torevitalize one block in the Fairmount area in order toincrease homeownership.

City of Richmond Master Plan East Planning District (2000)-ADOPTED

The East Planning District is the 11th Amendment to the City of Richmond Master Plan. The plan does not address the FairmountArea speciically, but the neighborhood does fall within the East Planning District. Given the historic context of much of the East End,the land use plan is a result of long-standing patterns of development and land use, some that date back as early as the mid-18thcentury.

The Master Plan proposes redevelopment and revitalization through a series of land use and zoning controls. Minimizing negativeimpact from public housing on surrounding residential areas has been proposed through partial conversion of housing unitsfrom public to private ownership. Future residential and commerical inill should be compatible with existing use and density.Neighborhood commercial uses are deemed appropriate only so long as ABC licenses are not included with their operation in aneffort to avoid the negative impact on adjacent resiential units often experienced as a result of corner stores. Persistently vacant andneglected lots deemed unsuitable for development should be reserved for public open space use. Controls for preserving historic

neighborhoods, such as Fairmount, should be maintained and encouraged.

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The organizations, institutions and amenities that comprise the social fabric of an area have a direct inluence on the health of acommunity. The Fairmount neighborhood is accessible via Interstates 64 and 95. Downtown Ri chmond is less than 2 miles away,therefore, as the downtown continues to grow, this proximity could beneit the neighborhood. Wi thin the area, several churchesand faith-based organizations provide crucial support for economically challenged residents including education, tutoring, foodpantry programs, transportation, inancial assistance, and health screening events. The local food inf rastructure consists of severalcorner stores and a few small take-out style restaurants. The nearest grocery store is at the bottom of Shockoe Hill nearly twomiles away.

In addition, the Bon Secours Richmond Health System owns and operates the Richmond Community Hospital which is locatednear the important intersection of 25th Street and Nine Mile Road. There are plans to develop a 25,000-square-foot medicalofice, as well as a wellness and itness center that will require 75 full-time employees.1Bon Secours is a collaborative partnerwith the City of Richmond and many organizations working to enhance the health and community around the hospital location.The Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center is connected to the neighborhood via the Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge.Richmond Public Schools has four schools within the Fairmount Area catchment: Woodville Elementary School, Fairield CourtElementary School, Martin Luther King Junior Middle School, and Armstrong High School.

SURROUNDING INFLUENCES

1Redskins camp, Bon Secours expansion part of $40 million deal, Richmond Times Dispatch, October 23,

2012, accessed February 2, 2013,

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I.Healthy Eating

Social and economic characteristics of the Fairmount Areaindicate that residents are especially vulnerable to thelow health outcomes usually associated with food deserts.The neighborhood has no public market or grocery storethat provides a variety of affordable whole foods suchas fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, and proteins. Thenearest grocery store, Fresh Market, is nearly two milesaway and many local residents do not have ready accessto modes of transportation for grocery shopping. Withouta grocery store, residents very much rely on the localcorner stores for food. In addition to lacking a supportivelocal food infrastructure that provides residents with the

option of healthier food purchases, local residents arenot suficiently equipped with the necessary food andnutrition education that is so important in closing the gapbetween food access and improved health.

Corner Stores

As the Figure 1.2 illustrates, nine corner stores fall withinthe bounded study area, each of them lie within a tenminute walk from any neighborhood in Fairmount. Theaverage hours of operation for the stores are from 8:00amto 8:00pm. Most of the stores in the area accept nutritionalassistance vouchers (EBT, SNAP etc.), which can be usedto purchase a variety of whole, fresh, and frozen foods aswell as soft drinks, candy, ice cream, energy drinks, andother processed foods. Nonfood items or prepared foods

are not approved for assistance vouchers. Figure 1.2: Corner Stores Map

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Urban Agriculture

Urban agriculture is an excellent way for communities toincrease their own access to healthy foods, especially in severelyunderserved areas such as Fairmount. Several communitygardening projects are ongoing in the study area and capacity forgrowth is strong. The Friends of Woodville Community GardenAssociation is registered with the Richmond Grows Gardensprogram as stewards of the garden at 28 thStreet and TateAvenue. Nearby ,a grove of fruit trees stands in relatively goodcondition, however, the stewards of that grove are unknown.Local residents have planted blueberry bushes and assorted fruittrees along Carrington Street at O Street and Mosby Street. TheTricycle Gardens community garden is l ocated just at the bottomof Union Hill, along with the associated Jefferson CommunityGarden. Learning gardens at Peter Paul Development Center andAnna Julia Cooper Episcopal School, with support from ShalomFarms, offer an opportunity for young people to gain exposure to

local food production while learning new life skills.

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Lucks Field

Redeining community gathering spots and enhancing the network of existing parks and green spaces can be effective in supportingmore active lifestyles of area residents. Promoting healthy communities also requires safe streets and recreational spaces that allowresidents to feel invited and protected within these newly deined areas. Offering a variety of recreational activities engages thecommunity in creating active habits as well as directly linking them to public spaces in their neighborhood. Lucks Field could beused to reorganize the communitys focus and make parks and recreation a pri ority.

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Crime Statistics

Crime and safety may be a threat to the process ofestablishing a healthy community. Real crime is suggestiveof a disinvested, poorly maintained area and may prove tobe a deterrent for future investment or development. Thi salso prevents community members from taking ownership

of the neighborhood and the areas i ntended for public usesare often left neglected or used inappropriately. Futurerecommendations to improve the health of the communitywill need to take the crime statistics into consideration.

Figure 1.6: & 1.7: C rime Map of Burglaries, Robberies andAssults from 2012 to 2013

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Important Community Assets

For a community such as Fairmount, local businesses, faith-based organizations, civic leagues, and non-governmental serviceproviders are the thread which holds the social fabric of the community together.

Education

The Fairmount community has many critical education assets. The Richmond Public School System operates four schools withinthe Fairmount area catchment: Woodville Elementary, Fairield Court Elementary, Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle, and ArmstrongHigh School. Non-denominational and non-traditional faith-based organizations including Peter Paul Development Center, East EndFellowship, and Church Hill Activities and Tutoring (known as CHAT), provide supplemental education and service-based activity andskills development opportunities.

Renovations at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School are currently underway and, according to the Chief Operating Oficer ofRichmond Public Schools, are reported to include a large community service capacity. Plans call for a public health departmentclinic, a pediatric dental clinic (staffed by MCV dental students), an auxiliary gym built for community use (as a part of the RichmondParks and Recreation Department), and several community meeting rooms. The auditorium will also be refurbished for after-schoolcommunity event hosting. The newly renovated school is scheduled to open on January 6, 2014.

Faith-Based Organizations

The faith-based community in the Fairmount area holds particular importance because of the great scope of services and support thatare provided through them. Many of the churches within the neighborhood offer programs that provide food, clothing, nutritionalinformation, diet and exercise education, and other programs directed towards youth. Not only is the faith-based community a vi talsupport structure for the neighborhood, but for many local residents, the faith-based community is their community.

Civic Associations

Although membership numbers of the broader Fairmount area civic associations New Visions Civic League, Unity Civic League,Union Hill Civic Association, and Church Hill Central Civic Association have luctuated throughout the years, their commitments toenhancing, empowering, revitalizing, and connecting their community has remained steadfast. The leagues have not only sustainedtheir oficial registry despite som e years of turbulent civic i nvestment, but more recently they have combined resources to coordinate

a National Night Out event for the previous two years that has purportedly enjoyed great success.

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Community Centers

Several community centers are nested within the broader Fairmount area that offer a dynamic range of services and programsintended to enrich and empower the community. They are integral to residents of all demographic proiles and will perform equallyimportant roles in plan implementation.

The East District Center functions as management apparatus for decentralized public services and programs that supporthealthy family structures, economic development, and a healthy environment. Programs include a senior center, early childhooddevelopment initiatives, youth activities through Richmond Parks and Recreation, and Virginia Cooperative Extension services

including 4-H.

The East District Family Resource Center acts as an information hub for local health awareness services including the 7thDistrictHealth and Wellness Initiative. The Center also provides a food pantry and community meeting space to complement regular healthand family education workshops.

The Fairield Court Boys and Girls Club provides a safe and welcoming space for youth activities and supplemental education.An array of extracurricular activities at the Club introduces young people to culinary arts, future business opportunities, dance,modeling, choir, drama, arts and crafts, and recreational sports. Health and life skills education offered at the Boys and Girls Clubcreates awareness of lifestyle alternatives to those commonly associated with the surrounding neighborhood.

The Peter Paul Development Center offers a variety of after school programs to area youth that includes tutoring and supplementaleducation, free meals, recreational activity, and educational gardening skills. The Center also offers a food pantry program and senior

exercise programs.

Church Hill Activities and Tutoring (CHAT) is a non-denominational faith-based organization which offers after school tutoring andsupplemental education, and emphasizes a need to cultivate life skills through service and experiential learning.

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Community Gathering Spaces

By promoting healthy communities through collaboration and land use planning, this plan utilizes an interdisciplinary approach toredeining existing neighborhood public spaces and enhancing future opportunities and establishing new spaces, that will reinforcethe physical activity network of Fairmount. By using innovative and safe physical settings in each space residents will be able toassimilate activities into their daily lifestyle. Healthy communities and active living for the Fairmount community is the long-termobjective of this plan and it includes improving the quality of life in the Fairmount neighborhood.

Today we recognize that decisions about land use, com munity design, and transportation planning have a direct effect on the rate ofoverweight and obesity, incidence of chronic di seases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental illness, and pedestrianinjury and fatality. Additionally, environmentalconditions such as poor air quality, deteriorated housing conditions, and ground andsurface water contamination all are inluenced by land use planning and all have effect on public health, especially disadvantagedpopulations, including minorities, children, and elderly.

Informal Gathering Spaces

The study area possesses an assortment of valuablespaces for informal gatherings. These informal spots donot present any kind of infrastructure for recreationalactivities, however, residents have integrated thesespaces in their day-to-day life because they have foundnatural valuable attributes.

Following the completion of our team ield researchand citizen observation, we discovered that some ofthe residents preferred gathering spots were locatedat corner stores, barbershops, beauty salons, andoutside the pharmacy on 25thstreet. Residents seem tocongregate and visit directly in front of the stores on 25thStreet. Unfortunately, there are no places to assembleor be seated to commune with friends, except for theconcrete bench that the pharmacy building provideswhich seems to always be occupied.

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36 Implementation-Fairmount Community Health Plan

VISION STATEMENT

We are the residents of Fairmount, and our aspiration isto revive and construct a prosperous community out ofour existing neighborhood through community healthinitiatives.

The Fairmount neighborhood will work to progress thequality of life and health of its residents by endorsingeducation programs and diverse pathways to a healthylifestyle.

We will reinforce community relationships so thatneighbors are eager and able to com e together to leadtheir community into a healthier lifestyle.

We are determined to create and fortify a neighborhoodidentity that is visible to outside communities.

The Fairmount community will be safe, beautiful, and awelcoming destination for residence, recreation, work,and commerce.

The Fairmount community will integrate our existingnetwork of community services and organizations toimprove opportunities for healthy eating, physical andsocial activity, and healthy education.

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Objective 1.2: Provide and promote healthierfresh, frozen, and prepared food options in the localconvenience stores.

Why:As a food desert, the Fairmount area suffers fromunequal access to healthy food which, when combinedwith existing demographic and structural conditions,results in poor health among the neighborhoodresidents. Healthier food options, as well educationabout the importance of nutritious foods, will help toimprove residents health.

Who:Led by Tricycle Gardens in collaboration withField of Dreams Farm, 17th St. Farmers Market,Grow RVA, Shalom Farms, Backyard Farmer, 7thDistrict Health and Wellness Initiative, 7th DistrictCouncilperson, Bon Secours, local/regional farmers, andlocal food purveyors.

What:Fresh, frozen, and/or prepared healthy food options will be made available through local entrepreneurs. Points of focusinclude Songs Market (1400 Mechanicsville Turnpike) and N. 25th St. Market, which have the available capacity for new displayscontaining fresh produce and other healthy food options inside the store year-round. Additionally, outdoor produce stands duringpermissible seasons will increase visibility and access while demonstrating local support for healthier food choices. Fresh fruitsand vegetables, as well as healthier snack alternatives, will be made available via mobile fruit carts or temporary stands in areas ofhigher activity such as Lucks Field. Each option might offer various forms of fresh snacks such as pre-made salads, fruit cocktails,smoothies, cut veggie snacks, and fruit-on- a-stick.

When: Year 1 to Year 3

Figure 2.1: Rendering of Songs Market with facade improvements

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Objective 2.2: Use community gardens as tools to educate the community about how food affects health while introducing localresidents to healthy food options.

Why: Community members will beneit greatly from an institutionalized community agriculture network that effectively maintainslocal gardens and coordinates educational activities and workshops out of the garden space. H ands-on, skills based learningexperiences will help close educational and opportunity gaps while empowering individuals with greater control over what they eat.

Who: Backyard Farmer in collaboration with Tricycle Gardens, Fit 4 Kids, VCU, Virginia Union University, University of Richmond,J. Sargent Renoylds Community College, and Hands on Greater Richmond

What:A Community Agriculture Task Force will be established, which will capitalize on the capacities of existing organizations thatwill institutionalize a system of construction, maintenance, and educational opportunity in local community agriculture projects.Members of the Task Force will work in collaboration with existing and future gardens to ensure best gardening practices whileeducating locals about the relationship between healthy eating and healthy living. A network of urban agriculture professionalswill coordinate with volunteers to share knowledge and develop skills through the community garden environment. Local urban-agriculture and leaders along with community service providers wi ll spearhead the Task Force.


Figures 2.2 & 2.3 Redesigned community gardens to facilitate learning and exitement about healthy eating.

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Goal 1:Increase access to nutritious food options that it into the communitys culture and lifestyle

Action StepsYear

Fa ci li ta ti ng P ar tn er O the r Pa rt ne rs P er fo rm an ce M ea su re s1 2 3 4 5

Objective 1:1: Continue efforts towards attracting a grocery store to the East End

Support efforts outlinedin the East end Charretteand the 25th and NineMile plans to encourageattraction of a grocerystore for the area

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7th District Councilper-son, 7th District Heathand Wellness Initiative,RRHA, City of RichmondDepartment of Economicand Community Develop-ment

7th District Councilperson,7th District Heath and Well-ness Initiative, RRHA, Cityof Richmond Department ofEconomic and CommunityDevelopment

Objective 1:2: Provide and promote healthier fresh, f rozen and prepared food options in the areas local convenient stores

Collaborate with othergroups such as thehealthy cornersinitiative, who are alreadyworking in the commu-nitys convenience storesto provide a wider varietyof healthier foodoptions

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Tricycle Gardens, the7th district City Council,Bon Secours, local foodpurveyors

Convenience store owner in-volvement and communitiespurchase commitment

Independently collabo-rate with Song Market tohelp set up an indoor/outdoor produce stand

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Owner of Songs Market,Tricycle Gardens andShalom Farms

Commitment of the ownerof Songs Market

Encouragement of mobilefruit cart and/or tempo-rary fruit and vegetablestands in areas of higheractivity and special events

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Backyard Farmer and the7th District Health andWellness Initiative

Field of Dream Farm,17th Street FarmersMarket, Grow RVA

Customer and vendor par-ticipation

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Action StepsYear


Recruit youth from localhigh school to create anblog about healthy foods,portion size and healthierfood choices with teach-ers instruction and super-vision

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Susan Roberson Directorof Nutrition Services forRichmond Public School

Students and instructor willhave to be involved in andbe aware of local food move-ments, nutrition educationand current/local nutritionevents to post regularly onthe blog

Objective 2.2: Use community gardens as a tool to educate the community about how food effects health and introduce them to differentfood options

Work with the city councilto rehabilitate the exist-ing community garden

on Tate Street and 28thStreet and/or providemeasures for additionalurban agricultural areaswithin the community

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Richmond Founda-tion, New VisionsCivic Association

Commitment from residentsto maintain the communitygarden

Hold community gardenclasses that can teach thecommunity of all ageshow, what and where togrow foods and the im-portance these foods andthe connection betweenclean food and a healthybody

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Peter Paul DevelopmentCenter, Tricycle Garden,Farm to Family

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Objective 1.1: Reinvent Lucks Field as the center of community recreation.

Why: Lucks Field is centrally located in the Fairmount neighborhood and is an ideal space for residents of the community to enjoypassive and active recreation. Providing residents with a safe, outdoor recreation setting will encourage an active, healthy lifestyle.Redeining spaces to accommodate recreational activities wil l foster more informal interactions between residents creating a feelingof community and a sense of ownership.

Who:Led by Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities with collaboration from the City of Richmond Human Resources ADACoordinator, Richmond Police Department First Precinct Oficers, City of Richmond Property Maintenance Division of theDepartment of Community Development, Residents, and Virginia Recreation and Park Society. Funding will be available from the

Active Living By Design (ALBD) Grant Program.

What:Existing assets throughout the community will be connected to Lucks Field through ADA compliant walking and biking paths.The ield will be physically restructured to feature a new walking path. The bathrooms and playing surfaces will be renovated withfunds from Active Living By Design (ALBD). Underutilized featureswill be removed and the space will be reclaimed for other uses.Lucks Field will hold organized sporting events and leagues drawing their participants from within the Fairmount community.

When:Year 1 to Year 5

ACTIVE LIVINGGoal 1: Redeine existing green and public spaces to promote safe physical activity and recreationaloptions.


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Why:Having an urban recreational system i s an asset for thecity and its residents. The connection of the three existingrecreational spaces in the Fairmount community will provideresidents with safe, pedestrian-friendlypublic spaces in which residents can enjoyoutdoor activities. Through increased useand activity in these community spaces, theperception of safety and sense of civic pridewill develop.

Who:EnRichmond; Virginia RecreationalTrails Program (RTP); City of RichmondParks, Recreation & Community Facilities;and Virginia Recreation and Park Society.Funding will be available from the Active

Living By Design (ALBD) Grant Program andthe Virginia Foundation for H ealth Youth.

What:Strategies, such as placing sharrowsto encourage bicycling, improving lighting,and adding attractive vegetation to drawwalkers onto the designated connectorpathways, will be used to reinforce the linkof this urban recreational system. Nodescreated at the turning points along the selected pathwayswill feature community artwork, seating, and options forrecreation. Lucks Field, in the heart of the study area, wouldserve as a pilot project to examine ways of improving access tothe other two recreational areas, especially for pedestrians.


Figure 2.5: Signs and Sharrows (See Appendix for location details)

Objective 1.2: Create connections between existing green and publicspaces using Lucks Field as the model for future redevelopment.


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50 Implementation-

Fairmount Community Health Plan

Zone 1

Zone 2


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52 Implementation-


Zone 1: Lucks Field

Figure 2.8: Lucks Field Rendering for unused space


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54 Implementation-


Zone 2: The Lots

The lots are a variety of designimplementations for vacant orunderutilzied lots on 22nd Streetnear Peter Paul DevelopmentCenter.

Figure 3.2: 22nd Steet Rendering

Figure 3.1: Rendering for improvements to the lot on the corner of W and 22nd Streets


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56 Implementation-


Zone 3: The Edge

The Edge, will be a place forvisitors to see, for students to play,and for the entire community togather not only for large events, butmost importantly everydayactivities.

Figure 3.5 & 3.6:The Square: The waiting plaza


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58Implementation -Fairmount Community Health Plan

Figure 3.9 & 4.1: Pocket Park Renderings near Woodville along The Edge

The Triangle: The playground plaza

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60Implementation -Fairmount Community Health Plan

Objective 2.1: Develop branding and place-making strategies to entice residents to utilize existing assets.

Why:The Fairmount area has an important historical identity and the integrity of the community may be preserved and enrichedby showcasing the existing assets through branding. Place-making will enhance these important assets to create a destinationthat may be enjoyed by residents and visi tors. Appropriate signage will showcase what amenities are offered in the com munity.Distinctive and visual signs will promote access to safe outdoor spaces to play and will offer a connection between existing assetsin and around the Fairmount area.

Who:ART 180, Peter Paul Resource C enter, EnRichmond, VCU Brand Center and Design Center, Storefront for Community Design,and City of Richmond Public Works.

What:Signage will be place in strategic gateways, intersections, and spots within the community. Each recreational area will holdan information kiosk or mural that will advertise events and activities that are being held in the community. Schools in the area willfacilitate a design contest or event to design the logo of Lucks Field and paint the new murals in the park.


Goal 2: Build awareness of recreational opportunities in Fairmount.Goal 1:

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62 Implementation -Fairmount Community Health Plan

Action StepsYear


Maintenance of the parkthrough city and commu-nity-wide initiatives

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City of Richmond Prop-erty Maintenance Divi-sion of the Department ofCommunity Development& Virginia Recreationand Park Society

New Visions CivicAssociation, UnityCivic League, UnionHill Civic Association,Church Hill CentralCivic Association

Community cleanup daysand routine checkups madeby the city

Objective 1.2: Create a connectin between existing spaces using Lucks Field as teh model for future redevelopment

Link Lucks Field to Wood-ville School and MartinLuther King School withbiking and walking paths

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EnRichmond, City ofRichmond Parks, Recre-ation, & Community Fa-cilities, City of RichmondEconomic & CommunityDevelopment

Virginia Recreation &Park Society City ofRichmond Economic& Community Devel-opment, & VirginiaRecreational Trails

Program (RTP)

Number of walkers andcyclists utilizing the desig-nated pathways as opposedto alternative routes

Create interactive com-munity installments alongpathways

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City of Richmond Eco-nomic & CommunityDevelopment Division,& Virginia Recreation &Park Society

Active Living ByDesign ALBD GrantProgram, & City ofRichmond PublicWorks

Cleanliness and utilizationof installed features afterimplementation

Create a new access pointto Martin Luther KingSchool, making a distinc-tion between the publicpark and the privateschool property

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City of Richmond Parks,Recreation, & Commu-nity Facilities, & City ofRichmond Economic &Community DevelopmentDivision

EnRichmond, Ac-tive Living By DesignALBD Grant Program,& City of RichmondPublic Works

The number of non-studentvisitors to the park must in-crease over a predeterminedtime horizon

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Action StepsYear


Create gateways at thenorth and south points ofthe park along 19th Streetwith signage indicatingthe parks recreationalspaces

g g

City of Richmond Eco-nomic & CommunityDevelopment Division &Active Living By DesignALBD Grant Program

City of RichmondEconomic & Commu-nity Development &Virginia Recreation &Park Society

Visual impact and clearsignage of the park gatewaysmust be easily interpretedby all visitors

Pave the playground areaand build a 3.5-foot, brickwall that will maintainvisibility but create a safespace for young childrento play

g g g

City of Richmond Parks,Recreation, & Commu-nity Facilities

Active Living ByDesign ALBD GrantProgram, & City ofRichmond PublicWorks

Increased use of the play-ground space

Goal 2: Build awareness of recreational opportunities in Fairmount

Objective 2.1: Develop branding and place-making strategies to entice residents to utilized existing assets

Provide signage in criticallocations g g g

City of Richmond PublicWorks

EnRichmond, VirginiaLand ConservationFund (VLCF)

Absolute number of signsinstalled throughout theneighborhood, and theirclarity of labels and direc-tions

Install an informationkiosk on the restroomfacility faade, including amap highlighting the com-munity assets

gCity of Richmond PublicWorks

Virginia Land Conser-vation Fund (VLCF)

The number of visitors tothe recreation spaces thatuse the kiosk for pamphletsor other information versusthe total number of visitors

A

Install ced murin High

CRITICAL CONNECTIONS Ob


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Objective 1.1: Increase neighborhood communication throughsocial functions and additional media outlets.

Why:Social functions and increased methods ofcommunication will improve community participation bybringing awareness to neighborhood opportunities such asevents, activities, classes, and programs. The neighborhoodresidents vary in ages and levels of online participation,therefore it is necessary to incorporate a variety ofcommunication options.

Who: Led by New Visions Civic Association and Unity Civic

Association and 7th District Councilperson with collaborationfrom Neighborhood churches and organizations, Residents,Virginia Commonwealth University: Mass CommunicationsDepartment, Department of Civic Engagement

What: The community will hold events throughout the year, suchas community block parties, movie nights, andcommunity yard sales. Community bulletin boards willprovide a way for the neighborhood to communicate andpromote events, meetings, and activities through a central,visible location. An individual or group of individuals will bedesignated to collect information and news from theneighborhood for a quarterly newsletter that will be availableat neighborhood resource centers or mailed to residents. A VCUMass Communications student can intern to compose and editthe East End newsletter. Civic associations will communi cate viaemail to those residents who prefer this method ofcommunication.

CRITICAL CONNECTIONSGoal 1: Create and enhance collaboration betweenneighbors and community organizations.

Where:Lucks Field, publicly owned vacant lots, Martin LutherKing, Jr. Middle School, East End Public Library, Robinson Theater,Family Resource Center


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Objective 1.4:Create public art to help beautify the neighborhood and improve the pedestrian experience.

Why:Public art helps to create a sense of pride and identity for a neighborhood. Working on a common project fosters socialconnections between neighbors and organizations. Creating a more attractive streetscape improves walking conditions andencourages exercising outdoors.

Who:Led by New Visions Civic Association and Unity Civic Association in collaboration with Richmond Public Art Commission, Art180, Boys & Girls Club, Church Hill Activities and Tutoring, 7th District Councilperson, Storefront for Community Design, MartinLuther King, Jr. Middle School, Woodville Elementary School, Fairield Court Elementary School

What:Areas in the neighborhood that could beneit from public art will be identiied. Examples of art will include murals done bychildren and/or professionals, a statue, or street painting. Competitions for design will be held by the neighborhood elementary andmiddle schools.


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Figure 4.3-4.5: Potential Streetscape and Infrastructure Improvements

Objective 2.2: Improve the Martin Luther King, Jr./Leigh Street Bridge and the Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mosby St. intersection.

Why:The Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge/Leigh Street Bridge is a major connection for the neighborhood because it connectsFairmount to downtown Richmond. Downtown is a source of jobs, entertainment, and services for the residents of Fairmount and theChurch Hill community. The intersection of the bridge and Mosby Street is also a major gateway into the neighborhood. Bicycling andpedestrian improvements were previously identiied as im portant needs for the neighborhood through the East End Charrette.

Who:Led by the City of Richmond Planning Department in collaboration with 6th District and 7th District Councilpersons, Storefrontfor Community Design, City of Richmond Public Works.

What:Safety features of the intersection w ill be increased, such as extended curbs, pedestrian refuge islands, and a raised crosswalk.There will be way-inding for vehicles entering Church Hill to important locations in the neighborhood such as Jefferson Park, the25th Street business corridor, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School. This important gateway to the neighborhood will also beimproved through landscaping and Church Hil l neighborhood street banners.


Obje

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CounLeadUniv

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Goal 1:Create and enhance collaboration between neighbors and comm unity organizationsA


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Action StepsYear


Objective 1:1: Increase neighborhood communication through social functions and additional media outlets

The community will holdevents throughout theyear such as: commu-nity block parties, movienights and communityyard sales

g

Unity Civic League andNew Visions Civic Asso-ciation

7th District Councilp-erson, Neighborhoodchurches and organi-zations, Residents

Amount of neighborhoodresidents that participate inevents

Provide community bulle-tin boards in a central lo-cation to promote events,meetings, and activitiesthrough a central, visiblelocation

g g7th District Councilper-son

Unity Civic Leagueand New Visions Civ-ic Association, Neigh-borhood churchesand organizations,Residents

Use of bulletin board forposting and reading infor-

mation

An individual or group ofindividuals will be des-ignated to collect infor-mation and news fromthe neighborhood for aquarterly newsletter thatwill be available at neigh-borhood resource centers.A VCU Mass Communica-tions student can internto compose and edit theEast End newsletter

g7th District Councilper-son

VCU Mass Communi-cations, VCU Depart-ment of Civic Engage-ment

Ask residents and informa-tion providers for feedback

A

Civic ascommuto thoseprefer tcommu

Object

Recruiteach strassociaresidenincreascivic asand eve

Action StepsYear

Fa ci li ta ti ng P ar tn er O the r Pa rt ne rs P er fo rm an ce M ea su re s A


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Action Steps Fa ci li ta ti ng P ar tn er O the r Pa rt ne rs P er fo rm an ce M ea su re s1 2 3 4 5

Objective 1.3: Get to know and build connections with newer neighborhood residents

Create a welcoming com-mittee who will hand-deliver a letter explain-ing the civic associationwith times of meetingsand contact information,invite the neighbors toconnect by email if thatis more convenient forthem, inform new neigh-bors of upcoming neigh-borhood projects andevents

g

Unity Civic League andNew Visions Civic Asso-ciation

Block Leaders

By the amount of new com-munity members oldermembers know and are incontact with

Ask new neighbors tocomplete a survey regard-ing if, how and when theywould like to participatein the civic associationand or community events

g gBlock Leaders

Unity Civic Leagueand New VisionsCivic Association

Organization of data collect-ed and adaption to prefer-ences

Objective 1.3: Get to know and build connections with newer neighborhood residents

Identify areas in theneighborhood that couldbeneit from public art

g g

7th District Councilper-son, New Visions CivicAssociation and UnityCivic Association

Richmond Public ArtCommission, Art 180,Storefront for Com-munity Design

Consensus on identiiedarea(s).

A

Hold defor pubborhoomiddle

Goal 2:

Object

Cyclingpromotpracticamode othroughreach wpublic sattract attentiomany recommuCyclingalso tearesidenolder btheir biriding s

Action StepsYear


A


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1 2 3 4 5

Bicycle safety measuressuch as bike lanes, shar-rows, Share the Roadsigns and bike routesignage will be added toCity-identiied bicycleroutes

g g g7th District Councilper-son and Residents

City of RichmondPublic Works De-partment, City ofRichmond PlanningDepartment, Rich-mond Cycling Corps.,Ride Richmond, BonSecours RichmondCommunity Hospital

If bicyclists feel safer on theroutes with the safety mea-sures

Objective 2.2: Improve the Marting Luther King Jr./ Leigh Street Bridge and the Martin Luther Ki ng Jr. and Mosby Street intersection

Increase safety featuresof the intersection suchas, extended curbs, pedes-

trian refuge islands, and araised crosswalk

g g g

City of Richmond Plan-

ning Department

6th District and 7thDistrict Councilper-sons, Storefront for

Community Design,City of RichmondPublic Works

By the amount of features

added and resident feedback

This important gatewayto the neighborhood willalso be improved throughlandscaping, Church Hillneighborhood street ban-ners, and way-inding forvehicles entering ChurchHill to important loca-tions in the neighborhoodsuch as Jefferson Park, the25th St. business corridor,and Martin Luther King,Jr. Middle School

g gCity of Richmond Plan-ning Department

6th District and 7thDistrict Councilper-sons, Storefront forCommunity Design,City of RichmondPublic Works

By the amount of featuresadded and resident and visi-tor feedback

Object

civic sp

An adopgram wfor FairFairielCarringas othebeneit maintenorganiznesses intersegatewa

Flower will be places towned the City

LA


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78 Appendix-Fairmount Community Health Plan

LA

CENSUS TRACTS TR


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CENSUS TRACTS TR

IMPROVEMENT MAP- DETAILS CO


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IMPROVEMENT MAP DETAILSI. Red Stars: These stars indicate the ideal locations for sig-

nage directing on-lookers to Lucks Field.

MLK Bridge: The MLK Bridge is one of the critical connectionsexisting in Fairmount. Serving as the direct link between thecommunity and the city downtown, the MLK Bridge is entrancepoint to Fairmount for many coming from downtown. Thereshould be signage, preferably 25-50 yards prior to the end of thebridge, indicating the distance and direction to Lucks Field, and abike symbol, indicating that the route can be managed by bicycle.

25th Street and Nine Mile Road: Both a critical connection and aprominent commercial district, this intersection serves as thegreatest opportunity to voice the recommendations of the com-mittee and provide poignant signage to the study area. Signsshould serve pedestrians and motorist entering from all direc-tions: Southbound on Nine Mile, Northbound on 25th Street.

II. Yellow Stars: In order to fulill the objective of linking

residents to recreational assets, the yellow stars represent

the spots for signage directing on-lookers to the locations of

both Lucks Field and Woodville Elementary School.

19th Street and Brauers: Lane In accordance with the objectivesand goals of this committee, to establish a link between theexisting recreational assets, signage representing the locationsof both Lucks Field and Woodville should be placed at the refer-enced intersection.

W and 21st Streets:In accordance with the objectives and goals ofthis committee, to establish a link between the existingrecreational assets, signage representing the locations of both

Lucks Field and Woodville should be placed at the referencedintersection.

X and 25th Streets: In accordance with the objectives and goals of thiscommittee, to establish a link between the existing recreational assets,signage representing the locations of both Lucks Field and Woodville shouldbe placed at the referenced intersection.

III. Black Stars: These stars indicate the ideal locations for sharrows.

These markings will encourage bicycling and alert drivers to the

presence of cyclists.

Mosby Street: In order to encourage multimodal transportation, sharrowsalong Mosby Street will encourage cycling in the area.

Fairmount Avenue:In order to encourage multimodal transportation,sharrows along Fairmount Avenue will encourage cycling in the area.

Brauers Lane, X, 19th, 27th and 28th Streets: In order to encourage residentsto utilize the link between Lucks Field and Mosby Street, sharrows shouldbe painted, in addition to the aforementioned signs, to promote active living.

17thFarmket

31stBap

6th Cou

7th Cou

7th HeaWelIniti

Actiing b(ALBProg

AnnCooEpisScho

N am e Contac tName Address P hone Num ber Website/Em ai l

Guiding Principle

Critical


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N am e Contac t Name Address P hone Num ber Website/Em ai lHealthy Eating Active Living

CriticalConnection

ArmstrongHigh School,Family, Career,and Commu-nity Leaders ofAmerica Club

Principle AprilHawkins-Jones

2300 CoolLaneRichmond, VA23223

[email protected]

g

Art 180ExecutiveDirectorMarkene Paul

114 W, Mar-shall St.Richmond, VA23220

[email protected]

g g

BackyardFarmer

ShielaLovelady, SeanSheppard

1730 RhoadMiller St.Richmond, VA23220

[email protected]

g

Bon SecoursRichmondCommu-nity Hospital-HealthyCommunities

DirectorLynneWashington

1500 N. 28thSt. Suite 206Richmond, VA23223

[email protected]

g g

Boys & GirlsClub

DirectorWilliamMorris

2506 Phaup St.Richmond, VA23223

804-359-5250www.bgcmr.org

g

Churh HillActivities andTutoring

Service Coor-dinator Mack-enzie Mumey

601 N. 31st St.Richmond, VA23223

804-236-4964

[email protected]

g g

Church HillChristian Com-munity Well-ness Center

Rev. GlindaFord

2011 Fair-mount Ave.Richmond, VA23223

[email protected]

g

CityRichHumResoADAcoor

CityRichPlanDep

CityRichPropMainCodEnfo

CityRichPub

CleaCom

EastFello


Guiding Principle

Critical


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CriticalConnection

EdibleEducation

Ann Butler 804-218-7903http://ediblee-du.com/

g

EnRichmondExecutiveDirector JohnSydnor

100 N. 17th St.Richmond, VA23219

804-646-0954http://www.enrichmond.org/

g

Fairield CourtElementarySchool

Principal CraigMayo

2510 Phaup St.Richmond, VA23223

[email protected]

g

Field ofDreams Farm

Greg Riggs

8600 Lake-front Dr.Henrico, VA23294

804-332-7000 fodfarm.com g

Fit 4 Kids

Mary DunneStewart (Di-

rector), NelllieKnight

501 E. FranklinSt. Suite 418

Richmond, VA23219

804-521-4414 grit4kids.org g

Food SystemsInc.

Sean Shep-pard

1730 RhoadMiller St.Richmond, VA23220

[email protected]

g

Grow RVAOwner KarenAtkinson

VariousLocations

[email protected]

g

Hands onGreaterRichmond

VanessaDiamon,DirectorHolly Gordon,Programs andOperationsManager

7501 BouldersView Dr. Suite101 Richmond,VA 23225

804-330-7027handsonrva.org

g

MarKingScho

NewCivicAsso

ParkRecrComFaci

PeteResoCent

RichCycl

RichGrow

RichPoliDep1st POfic

RichPubCom


Guiding Principle

Critical


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CriticalConnection

RichmondPublic SchoolsandAdministration(Nutrition Ser-vices, HealthServices)

7th DistrictSchool BoardRepresenta-tive Don Cole-man, Directorof RichmondPublic SchoolsNutrition Ser-vices

201 W.Graham RoadSecond FloorRichmond, VA23222

[email protected]

g

RichmondTree Stewards

Vice PresidentJan Thomas

804-387-7654

www.rich-mondtreestew-ards.org/[email protected]

g

RideRichmond

Amy George 804-491-9490 [email protected] g

Roots ofWoodvilleCommunityGarden

http://tel-moregardens.blogspot.com/

g

Shalom Farms

ProgramDirectorDominicBarrett

1010 W.Laburnum Ave.Richmond, VA23227

[email protected]

g

Storefront forCommunityDesign

Burt Pinnoc205 E. BroadSt. Richmond,VA 23219

[email protected]

g g

TricycleGardens

Sall Schwitters

2107Jefferson Ave.Richmond, VA23223

804-231-7767tricyclegar-dens.org

g

UnitAsso

VCUCentDes

VCUof CEng

VCU

UnitOrga

VCUComtionDep

VCUSust

VirgFouHea

N am e Contac t Name Address P hone Num ber Website/Em ai l

Guiding Principle

H l h E i A i Li iCritical

PH


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/Healthy Eating Active Living

CriticalConnection

VirginiaRecreation andPark Society

ExecutiveDirector JimStutts, CPRP,CAE

804-730-9447 [email protected] g

VirginiaRecreationalTrails Pro-grams (RTP)

SynthiaWaymack

203 GovernorSt. Suite 326Richmond, VA23219

804-786-5046

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/recre-ational_plan-ning/trailfnd.shtml

g

WoodvilleElementarySchool

PrincipalRosalindTaylor

2000 N. 28thSt. Richmond,VA 23223

[email protected]

g

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fairmount community health plan - adam socki

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